New Delhi: Sopaan, an organisation dedicated to bringing Indian culture and heritage to contemporary audiences, will present its annual initiative, AIKYAM 2026: Rasa & Realism in Vadodara and Champaner from October 9 to 11. The programme will bring together international artists, historians, architects, collectors, cultural practitioners, diplomats, members of royal families, art patrons and corporate leaders for a celebration of art, heritage, performance, architecture and living traditions.
Founded by former Indian Ambassador Monika Kapil Mohta and cultural entrepreneur Siddhaant Mohta, AIKYAM returns for its second edition with a focus on the many ways in which India’s cultural legacy continues to evolve and find relevance today.
Supported by Gujarat Tourism, Dr Radhikaraje Gaekwad, Hon’ble Dr Hemang Joshi, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Vadodara, Incredible India, Vadodara Municipal Corporation and Baroda Heritage Trust, with the European Union Delegation to India as a partner, the 2026 edition will explore Vadodara’s distinctive cultural landscape through the theme Rasa & Realism, with a special focus on the legacy of Raja Ravi Varma and his contribution to the evolution of modern Indian art.
Vadodara, an intercultural heritage city, has evolved through centuries of cultural exchange and confluence, bringing together Indian traditions with influences from Europe in art, design and architecture. This unique character is reflected in the city’s historic monuments, palaces and public buildings, where Indian architectural traditions meet European and Indo-Saracenic influences. The city’s landscape also reflects its long history of artistic patronage and its engagement with evolving ideas in art, architecture and design.
Commenting on the initiative, Mr Siddhaant Mohta, Director, Sopaan said, “Gujarat has emerged as one of India’s most compelling travel destinations, attracting visitors from India and around the world with its rich history, architecture, crafts, cuisine, spirituality and vibrant cultural traditions. For Sopaan, it was a natural choice for AIKYAM, given the state’s remarkable cultural landscape and Vadodara’s unique legacy of art and patronage, particularly its association with the Gaekwad dynasty and Raja Ravi Varma. With Rasa & Realism, we wanted to bring this history alive through art, performance and conversation, while offering audiences an opportunity to experience Gujarat’s heritage as something living, evolving and relevant to the world today.”
The historic Lukshmi Vilas Palace will serve as one of the key venues for the programme. Among the highlights will be Myth Made Manifest, a theatrical presentation inspired by Raja Ravi Varma’s works and exploring themes of divinity, femininity, identity and universal human emotion. The programme will feature a classical ballet under the creative direction of internationally acclaimed artist Gauri Sharma Tripathi, with artists from the UK, Sweden, Poland, Croatia, Spain, Italy and Peru, with Switzerland, Austria and The Netherlands joining the programme as partner countries.
Shri Arun Mahesh Babu, Municipal Corporation of Vadodara, said, “Aikyam is a celebration of India’s rich cultural diversity and the living traditions that have shaped our collective identity over generations. By bringing together diverse artistic expressions and cultural narratives, the event offers a meaningful platform for dialogue, exchange and a deeper appreciation of our shared heritage. Vadodara has a longstanding legacy of supporting art, culture and creative expression and we are looking forward to host such an initiative that reflects this spirit. Aikyam reminds us that when diverse cultures come together while retaining their distinct identities, they create something larger, richer and truly representative of India’s cultural fabric.”
AIKYAM 2026 will also feature Conversations on Art, a series of art conversation sessions that will bring together distinguished voices to explore Vadodara’s artistic legacy, Raja Ravi Varma’s influence on Indian visual culture and the continuing dialogue between Indian and European artistic traditions. Renowned author and art historian Manu S. Pillai will speak on Raja Ravi Varma, examining his contribution to Indian art and his place in the evolution of modern Indian visual culture. The sessions will also feature Deborah Swallow, a globally renowned expert on Indian art, and Nick Booker, Indogenius, and will explore the artistic, architectural and design exchanges that have shaped Vadodara and its relationship with wider global traditions.
The gathering is expected to bring together 25 ambassadors, along with other senior diplomats, art patrons and experts, corporate leaders, media and influencers, as well as members of royal families from across India.
The programme will extend beyond Vadodara to the wider cultural landscape of Gujarat, including a visit to the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside the spectacular Garba celebrations of Navratri, recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, and curated experiences around the region’s architecture, craft and living traditions.
AIKYAM comes at a time when cultural experiences are becoming an increasingly important part of travel. According to Skyscanner’s 2025 Cultural Tourism Report, 82% of Indian travellers said they were prioritising destinations for their cultural offerings, including festivals, heritage sites and local experiences.
India also recorded 20.22 million international tourist arrivals and 4.29 billion domestic tourist visits in 2025, according to Ministry of Tourism data. With 45 properties on the UNESCO World Heritage List, including 37 cultural properties, India offers a vast landscape for heritage-led travel and cultural discovery. The Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004, is among them.
Against this backdrop, AIKYAM 2026 brings together the tangible and intangible dimensions of India’s cultural heritage, from historic architecture and classical performance to painting, craft, storytelling and contemporary interpretation, creating a platform for audiences to engage with India’s cultural legacy in a more immersive way.
AIKYAM 2026 is supported by a diverse group of corporate and industry partners, including Vadilal, VFS Global, Piramal, Deepak Nitrite, Endurance, Vazir Group, Usha Breco, Federation of Gujarat Industries, CBSL Group, Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Limited (GACL), Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited, Sacheerome, Gujarat Energy, Dixon, IndiGo and Rubamin. Their association reflects the wider engagement of India’s corporate and industrial community with initiatives that celebrate art, heritage and cultural exchange.
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